| To Clean |
Use a mild solution of soap and lukewarm water, rinse thoroughly. A small, soft-bristled brush may be used on the back where dirt collects. Ultra-sonic machines and jewelry cleaners may also be used. Ultra-Sonic machines should not be used on Emeralds, Opals, Tanzanite, and Pearls.
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Avoid |
Cosmetics, household chemicals, strong heat, sharp blows, and sudden temperature changes.
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| Have all fine jewelry inspected twice a year. |
| Term
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Definition
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Bleaching
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The soaking of gem material in a form of bleach to remove unwanted color. Often used with pearls and considered safe.
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Clarity
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The degree of flawlessness in a faceted gem. Since inclusions are a natural part of a mineral's growth, completely flawless gems are rare in many species. Inclusions of flaws in colored stones, such as emeralds, occur with greater frequency than in diamonds and are therefore more acceptable.
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Color
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The single most important factor affecting the value of colored stones and determined by hue, tone, and intensity.
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Cut
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The shape in which a gem is faceted, such as round, oval, pear-shaped, etc. Also, the quality of the actual faceting job and degree of brilliance of sparkle in which it results.
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Dyeing
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The soaking of relatively porous gem materials, such as onyx or jade, in a coloring agent to improve or change natural colors.
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Enhancement
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Any man-made process used to improve or accentuate the natural beauty to gemstones. This includes heat treatment, irradiation, surface diffusion, impregnation, bleaching, and dyeing.
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Heat Treatment
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Exposure to intense heat, similar to that of the earth's core which naturally causes gem formation, used to change or intensify a gem's color.
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Hue
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A particular tint or shade of color, such as red, pinkish-red, orange-red, etc.
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Impregnation
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One of the oldest forms of enhancement. It is actually the oiling of flaws, which results in a stone appearing to have fewer inclusions and a more even color. While the use of colorless oil has been an accepted practice for centuries, the use of a colored oil is considered unethical.
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Intensity
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The brightness or overall vividness of a gemstone's color.
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Irradiation
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The use of radiation to change a gem's color. Frequently used with certain gems and safe to humans.
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Surface Diffusion
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An outgrowth of the heating process, the stone is first covered by a coloring agent and then exposed to great heat. Although this surface covering gives the appearance of better color, scratching or polishing may reveal the gem's true color. A less satisfactory alternative to heat treatment or irradiation.
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Tone
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The degree to which a stone absorbs light, described in varying degrees of colorlessness or blackness.
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